Latest news with #Lyle
The Herald Scotland
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Karen Pirie star on pressures of hit Scottish crime drama
When ITV drama returns on July 20, nearly three years after the first series aired, the stakes are even higher for Lyle and Pirie. Read more: Pirie has been promoted to detective inspector and is responsible for an expanded team in a new adaptation of crime writer Val McDermid's best-selling series focusing on the character. In the new series, Pirie is thrust into a reopened investigation into an unsolved mystery involving one of Scotland's richest oil tycoons, played by veteran Scottish actor James Cosmo. Lauren Lyle plays recently-promoted detective inspector Karen Pirie in the ITV drama series. (Image: Mark Mainz) The case will take Pirie and her team back 40 years to the kidnapping oil heiress Catriona Grant and her son Adam outside a fish and chip shop in Fife, but are never seen again despite the sending of two chilling ransom notes. Meanwhile he is still struggling to win acceptance into what Lyle describes as 'the boys' club' within her police force, is unwilling to let her superiors know she has been in a relationship with a colleague for more than two years and seems prepared to bend the rules at work even more than before. Zach Wyatt and Lauren Lyle star in Karen Pirie. (Image: Mark Mainz) Although she had previously starred in Outlander and Vigil, Karen Pirie was the most high-profile role to date for Glasgow-born Lyle. Despite winning two BAFTA Scotland awards for her performance in that first series, which aired nearly three years ago, Lyle admitted she was 'worried' about returning to the role in the new series which was filmed across Scotland and also moves to Malta for an action-packed finale. James Cosmo stars in the new series of Karen Pirie. (Image: Mark Mainz) Taggart star John Michie is among the other special guests appearing in the new series, which sees the return of Zach Wyatt as detective sergeant Phil Parhataka, who is also Pirie's boyfriend, her series one sidekick, detective constable Jason 'Mint' Murray, played by Chris Jenks, and newcomer detective constable Isla Stark, played by Saskia Ashdown. Lyle said: 'Karen has a lot more power in this series. She is semi-in charge of everyone, which is really funny to play because she's so young. Saskia Ashdown, Lauren Lyle and Chris Jenks headed to Malta for filming part of the new series of Karen Pirie. (Image: Mark Mainz) 'There's this very funny balance we've got to try and strike where she is very good at her job, she is reliable and she gets results, but with very obscure methods. The bosses sort of hate that they have to deal with that. 'She is thrust into a huge case in this series and has a much bigger team, so it's a big step up for her. 'She does feel the pressure more. But she has got a bit more armour this time and is less afraid to break the rules than maybe she was the last time. 'There are definitely times in this series when she breaks the rules to get what she needs. I think she just thinks: 'Well, that works. Why would I not do that?' 'It feels like way more happens in this season. Every episode has way more hooks. A lot more people die and there are a lot more suspects.' Lyle got her TV breakthrough when she landed the recurring role of Marsali in time travel fantasy Outlander and went to appear in four episodes of the submarine thriller Vigil, starring alongside Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Martin Compston and Gary Lewis. Lyle said she could easily relate to Pirie's efforts to handle the pressures and responsibilities of a taking on a bigger job. She added: 'It's funny, I compare it a bit to what I felt like when I did the first series. 'I had this thing of being like: 'Can I do it? Can I actually do this role? Can Karen do it?' It was huge what she cracked in the first season. 'The first series was my first time as number one on the call sheet, and it was quite overwhelming at times, but it was really exciting and thrilling. I just wanted to do the best job I could. "I honestly didn't know how the first series would go down with me being the face of the show, but not being Hollywood-star-famous. But people just jumped in and went with it. "I think it's to do with the fact that there are lots of crime shows on TV, but pretty much all of them are about men who have drinking problems who hate everything. It's crime by a cool young person that actually understands what people want to see on TV. 'I was worried coming back to this season that I couldn't do it again. 'I was like: 'Can I still be funny and likeable, and a bit sarcastic and rude? 'It was really satisfying at how I was able to slip straight back into who she was. I think that's sort of down to the foundation of the writing, what we made in the last season and the dynamic between the characters.' The new season, which has again been adapted by a McDermid novel by screenwriter Emer Kenny, sees Pirie struggle to cope being in a relationship at work that she insists on keeping from almost all of her colleagues. Wyatt said: 'Karen and Phil do come across some difficulties when their values as police officers come into play. It causes friction in their relationship. 'Karen and Phil are both strong-willed and stubborn. They have very different ways of working. Phil is very much a straight-laced cop who wants to abide by the book. It's very important to him to move up the ranks in the right way and not skip any steps. 'The bottom line in Karen is a more talented police officer and is much more creative than Phil. I think that challenges Phil's ambition a bit and pushes him to be better, but they definitely butt heads.' Lyle said: "Karen and Phil's relationship is a couple of years down the line now, but it's still a secret at work. 'Phil really wants things to be exposed, but she is still quite nervous about that. She has never been able to be part of the boys' club. She is always having to prove herself. To jeopardise that for love feels like too much of a risk for her. 'I think Karen's under the impression that, as a woman, you can only have one or the other – a career or a home life. She's misguided in thinking she can't have both. 'Phil's a good, smart man who's willing to support her, but Karen thinks she has to choose her career to keep getting ahead. Her career gives her a sense of worth, but it can damage her love life. 'I think she's right to protect Phil because he's really good for her. It's important to have meaningful relationships, and that's what makes Karen a layered character.' More light relief is on offer from the character of Mint, who is described as "a bit of a prima donna" by Jencks. The actor said: "He is a bit more ambitious in this series. "His deluded dream is that he wants to work for MI5, so he is putting in the steps to try to make that happen. He has got ideas based on what he has seen on TV and in the movies. He thinks he should be involved in high-profile cases. "It was good for him to step up a bit and show that he can lead things and take the initiative – but I think Karen's a bit alarmed by it." Lyle added: 'Karen is blunt and direct, and I love that about her. She's not overly concerned about how she's perceived, which sometimes gets her into trouble. 'It's refreshing to play someone who says what she thinks. I also love how funny she is. There aren't many roles for women my age that balance humour, depth, and action. "Karen also gets these epic, high-stakes moments - big arrests, chase sequences, and dramatic reveals. It's rare to get to do all that in one role. As an actor, it's the dream.'
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Irish Independent
‘He hit me over and over': Olympian on abusive relationship with Jonathan Creswell, the trainer accused of showjumper Katie Simpson's murder
The Bangor-born equestrian was in a relationship with Creswell from 2008 to 2009. A year after it ended, he was jailed for six months for multiple vicious and prolonged assaults on Ms Lyle who has revealed the extent of what she suffered ahead of Death of a Showjumper, a new three-part documentary series by Sky. It tells the story of a predatory abuser who operated in plain sight of Northern Ireland's 'horsey community' and explores police failings. Speaking to The Irish Times, Ms Lyle said she had just turned 23 when she started a relationship with the Greysteel man and was only beginning her career with horses. 'He was just so confident, charming and cocky and cheeky,' Ms Lyle recalled. 'But also very thoughtful, sweet and kind — just an alluring person.' However, the romance took a twist when Creswell assaulted Ms Lyle in February 2009 during a row before she left to go out with friends. He later sent a text apologising for his behaviour and asked if he could collect her. 'We got in the car and he swerved right, and my phone flew out of my hand... He said, 'You won't be needing that',' she said. 'Out of nowhere, he grabbed the back of my head [and] he hit my head off the window, off the dashboard. 'I was like, curled up, and he just hit me over my body, over and over and over. The shock of it. I always thought I would defend myself, but this crazy instinct took over. ADVERTISEMENT 'You will do or say anything to calm that person down because you are very aware you cannot win that fight. When he started to say, 'I'm really sorry, I'll never do that again. Oh my goodness. I really love you. Why did I do that?'… As soon as they say, 'Sorry', that pain is gone. Lifted. 'The relief was unbelievable, and it was like oxygen. By then I was in it. 'You think it's because of you. I shouldn't be doing these things, shouldn't be saying these things, I should be acting in a different way to stop this side of him coming out. But he got worse.' Ms Lyle's father contacted Nuala Lappin, a specialist PSNI domestic violence officer, which she described as her 'saving grace'. 'We kind of started a communication, just on the phone, for a couple of months before I left [Creswell],' she said. 'She said, 'I know you are not ready to [leave Creswell], but you can, and you will'. She was amazing, she was the only person who understood... Everyone's reaction [to her relationship with Creswell] was anger. A lot of people were so angry with me. They were like: 'Why are you going back? Why?' 'Nuala was the only person who truly understood why at that time I couldn't. Having her advice is probably why I am here today.' On August 3, 2020, Creswell drove Katie Simpson part-way to Altnagelvin Hospital before the unresponsive passenger was transferred to an ambulance. He told paramedics and two police officers that she had attempted to take her own life. She died in hospital without regaining consciousness a week later. Following a botched PSNI investigation, Creswell was eventually charged with Katie's murder but died after just one day of evidence in the case. At his trial, it was alleged he had strangled her and tried to cover it up by claiming she had hanged herself. Ms Lyle said that news of Creswell's arrest for Katie's murder 11 years after she walked away was 'devastating', but not surprising. 'I always thought he was capable of something like that,' she said. Death of a Showjumper is set to air on Sky and Now on Wednesday, July 16
Sunday World
13-07-2025
- Sunday World
Irish Olympian on her abusive relationship with trainer linked to murder of showjumper
Dressage rider speaks ahead of documentary on tragic death of Katie Simpson Irish Olympian and dressage rider Abigail Lyle has opened up on the abuse she suffered at the hands of Jonathan Creswell more than a decade before the death of showjumper Katie Simpson. The County Down equestrian was in a relationship with Creswell from 2008 to 2009. A year after it ended, he was jailed for six months for multiple vicious and prolonged assaults on Ms Lyle who has revealed the extent of what she suffered ahead of Death of a Showjumper, a new three-part documentary series by Sky. Abigail Lyle and Jonathan Creswell. News in 90 Seconds - Sunday July 13 It tells the story of a predatory abuser who operated in plain sight of Northern Ireland's 'horsey community' and explores police failings. Speaking to The Irish Times, Ms Lyle said she had just turned 23 when she started a relationship with the Greysteel man and was only beginning her career with horses. 'He was just so confident, charming and cocky and cheeky,' Ms Lyle recalled. 'But also very thoughtful, sweet and kind — just an alluring person.' Jonathan Creswell However, the romance took a twist when Creswell assaulted Ms Lyle in February 2009 during a row before she left to go out with friends. He later sent a text apologising for his behaviour and asked if he could collect her. 'We got in the car and he swerved right, and my phone flew out of my hand... He said, 'You won't be needing that',' she said. 'Out of nowhere, he grabbed the back of my head [and] he hit my head off the window, off the dashboard. 'I was like, curled up, and he just hit me over my body, over and over and over. The shock of it. I always thought I would defend myself, but this crazy instinct took over. 'You will do or say anything to calm that person down because you are very aware you cannot win that fight. When he started to say, 'I'm really sorry, I'll never do that again. Oh my goodness. I really love you. Why did I do that?'… As soon as they say, 'Sorry', that pain is gone. Lifted. 'The relief was unbelievable, and it was like oxygen. By then I was in it. 'You think it's because of you. I shouldn't be doing these things, shouldn't be saying these things, I should be acting in a different way to stop this side of him coming out. But he got worse.' Ms Lyle's father contacted Nuala Lappin, a specialist PSNI domestic violence officer, which she described as her 'saving grace'. 'We kind of started a communication, just on the phone, for a couple of months before I left [Creswell],' she said. 'She said, 'I know you are not ready to [leave Creswell], but you can, and you will'. She was amazing, she was the only person who understood... Everyone's reaction [to her relationship with Creswell] was anger. A lot of people were so angry with me. They were like: 'Why are you going back? Why?' 'Nuala was the only person who truly understood why at that time I couldn't. Having her advice is probably why I am here today.' Katie Simpson On August 3, 2020, Creswell drove Katie Simpson part-way to Altnagelvin Hospital before the unresponsive passenger was transferred to an ambulance. He told paramedics and two police officers that she had attempted to take her own life. She died in hospital without regaining consciousness a week later. Following a botched PSNI investigation, Creswell was eventually charged with Katie's murder but took his own life after just one day of evidence in the case. At his trial, it was alleged he had strangled her and tried to cover it up by claiming she had hanged herself. Ms Lyle said that news of Creswell's arrest for Katie's murder 11 years after she walked away was 'devastating', but not surprising. 'I always thought he was capable of something like that,' she said. Death of a Showjumper is set to air on Sky and Now on Wednesday
Belfast Telegraph
13-07-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
‘He hit me over and over': Olympian on abusive relationship with trainer linked to murder of showjumper Katie
The Bangor-born equestrian was in a relationship with Creswell from 2008 to 2009. A year after it ended, he was jailed for six months for multiple vicious and prolonged assaults on Ms Lyle who has revealed the extent of what she suffered ahead of Death of a Showjumper, a new three-part documentary series by Sky. It tells the story of a predatory abuser who operated in plain sight of Northern Ireland's 'horsey community' and explores police failings. Speaking to The Irish Times, Ms Lyle said she had just turned 23 when she started a relationship with the Greysteel man and was only beginning her career with horses. 'He was just so confident, charming and cocky and cheeky,' Ms Lyle recalled. 'But also very thoughtful, sweet and kind — just an alluring person.' However, the romance took a twist when Creswell assaulted Ms Lyle in February 2009 during a row before she left to go out with friends. He later sent a text apologising for his behaviour and asked if he could collect her. 'We got in the car and he swerved right, and my phone flew out of my hand... He said, 'You won't be needing that',' she said. 'Out of nowhere, he grabbed the back of my head [and] he hit my head off the window, off the dashboard. 'I was like, curled up, and he just hit me over my body, over and over and over. The shock of it. I always thought I would defend myself, but this crazy instinct took over. 'You will do or say anything to calm that person down because you are very aware you cannot win that fight. When he started to say, 'I'm really sorry, I'll never do that again. Oh my goodness. I really love you. Why did I do that?'… As soon as they say, 'Sorry', that pain is gone. Lifted. 'The relief was unbelievable, and it was like oxygen. By then I was in it. 'You think it's because of you. I shouldn't be doing these things, shouldn't be saying these things, I should be acting in a different way to stop this side of him coming out. But he got worse.' Ms Lyle's father contacted Nuala Lappin, a specialist PSNI domestic violence officer, which she described as her 'saving grace'. 'We kind of started a communication, just on the phone, for a couple of months before I left [Creswell],' she said. 'She said, 'I know you are not ready to [leave Creswell], but you can, and you will'. She was amazing, she was the only person who understood... Everyone's reaction [to her relationship with Creswell] was anger. A lot of people were so angry with me. They were like: 'Why are you going back? Why?' 'Nuala was the only person who truly understood why at that time I couldn't. Having her advice is probably why I am here today.' On August 3, 2020, Creswell drove Katie Simpson part-way to Altnagelvin Hospital before the unresponsive passenger was transferred to an ambulance. He told paramedics and two police officers that she had attempted to take her own life. She died in hospital without regaining consciousness a week later. Following a botched PSNI investigation, Creswell was eventually charged with Katie's murder but took his own life after just one day of evidence in the case. Orange Order parade passes through Ardoyne without incident At his trial, it was alleged he had strangled her and tried to cover it up by claiming she had hanged herself. Ms Lyle said that news of Creswell's arrest for Katie's murder 11 years after she walked away was 'devastating', but not surprising. 'I always thought he was capable of something like that,' she said.
Hamilton Spectator
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Movies by the Lake returns to downtown Burlington, starting Tuesday night
Movies by the Lake returns for a fourth season of free outdoor films in Spencer Smith Park. Organized by the Burlington Downtown Business Association, the annual summer movie series features shows on seven Tuesday evenings in July and August, kicking off Tuesday, July 8 with Batman — the 1989 film directed by Tim Burton, starring Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Kim Basinger. Downtown business association events manager Dayna Lyle said Movies by the Lake nights have activated the downtown core, drawing families and businesses into the area where they dine, shop and explore before the start of the show each week. 'It's a simple, fun event that directly supports our goal of driving foot traffic, and creating a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere for the community and our downtown businesses,' Lyle said. Lyle said a goal each week is to include as many downtown businesses as possible in the event, whether providing popcorn, games, candy or other experiences. 'Movies by the Lake not only brings people into the heart of our downtown community, but also gives our local businesses a chance to showcase what they offer,' Lyle said. For more information and updates visit the Burlington Downtown Business Association website . Movies are scheduled to begin at dusk.
